Andrew Smith Watchmaker of Tranent

[MonicaL]

And so it is:

[zumaro]

I am now at a loss for words! Thanks Tom and Monica - you have exceeded any expectations I had so far, that I am in awe at your skills.  And researching Smiths as well - although luckily with odd middle names seemingly drawn out of a hat, and coming from a small town with not too many Smiths, both of which are proving useful. 

Looking at scotlandspeople I have his death certificate for March 31st 1881 in Tain. Lists both his wives Christine Kent and Margaret Stewart. Death from heart disease (dropsy). 

I thought it was odd to think of him dying poor - the family is middle class, and obviously close. 

You guys have filled in the whole family - amazing work! And provided details like the obituary and the needlework which are quite moving to see.  Thanks again!

[MonicaL]

And of course, young Robert and Alexander are with their father and new wife in 1861 in Tain, R & C:

Andrew Smith 47 Watch Maker (master) b. Prestonpans
Margaret Smith 46 b. Kincardine, Ross-shire
Robert Smith 15 b. Tranent
Alexander Smith 12 b. Tranent

Enjoyed searching your family, Zumaro 

Monica

[zumaro]

The pièce de résistance - everyone in their right place!

Again thanks - you guys are wonderful.

[tidybooks]

Hi Monica and zumaro,

I really enjoyed that, Monica again coming up with the goods, just these extra 2 words "and Tain", it made all the difference. I was searching this post as well as watching the football. Thank goodness I had the search, because the football was not good.

Tom

[zumaro]

It was like a good detective show - far better than the football! Thanks Tom and Monica.

As an afterthought the verse on the needlepoint is by Robert Pollok, from a 10 book blank verse opus called The Course of Time. It was his last work and an international hit in the nineteenth century. I thought it might be Mcraig - that name is a little mysterious!

[zumaro]

Just as a follow up to this family, I was researching Andrew Smith's mother Marjory Smith, another elusive Smith, and what happened to her after her husband died in Prestonpans.  I finally found her in North Berwick in the 1861 census, staying with her daughter Christian Smith, who had married Robert Bridges.  So Andrew Smith named his son Robert Bridges Smith, after his sister's husband, which seems an unusual thing to do (or conversely Christian Smith's husband changed his name to that of Andrew Smith's son I guess).

I also had the chance to travel to Prestonpans in the last week, and in the Prestongrange church I found Andrew Smith's wife Christian Kent's grave. It was hard to find and in bad condition, but I cleaned it up with a scrubbing brush and some water, to rather good effect.

[MonicaL]

Thank you for the update, zumaro. Great to hear you have made such headway with it all.

Monica

[tidybooks]

Hi Zumaro,

You have made great progress, thanks for the update.

Tom